Extension boot

ABSTRACT

An extension boot having a telescoping extension composed of sections adapted to interlock in extended position. The extension includes a sole and together with the sole of the boot, defines an enclosed chamber. Located in the chamber is a flexible airtight bag having a valved connection to the exterior for applying air under pressure to the interior of the bag.

iJnite States Patent 1 [111 3,751,833 Humphrey Aug. 14, 1973 [54] EXTENSION BOOT 2,910,703 11/1959 Shannon 36/81 [76] Inventor: Irvin R. Humphrey, Box 665, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Sund e. yo- 82729 777,630 6/1957 Great Britain 36/1 [22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1972 Primary ExammerPatnck D. Lawson [21] App]. No.: 236,752 Attorney-Donald P. Bush 52 us. Cl. 36/81 [571 ABSTRACT 51 Int. Cl A431) 7/16 An extension boot having a telescoping extension [58] Field of Search 36/1, 2.5 R, 7.5, posed of sections adapted to interlock in extended p 36/81; 182/230; 272/701 tion. The extension includes a sole and together with the so1e of the boot, defines an enclosed chamber. Lo- [56] References Cited cated in the chamber is a flexible air-tight bag having UNITED STATES PATENTS a valved connection to the exterior for applying air 2 301 702 [H1942 he et a] 36/8] under pressure to the interior of the bag. 1,930,363 10/1933 Knox 36/75 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures EXTENSION BOOT BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to extension boots which are particularly useful in extending the height to which the wearer can reach in occupations such as painting or the like.

Essentially, the boot comprises an ordinary boot, the sole of which is connected to a telescoping extension formed of a plurality of telescoped inter-engageable bands or rings usually conforming to the shape of the sole of the boot. The individual bands may be collapsed so as to provide minimum extension and retained in collapsed position by snap fasteners or by pins adapted to extend through openings in the collapsed rings.

The telescoping extension rings comprise a top plate, a sole plate, and a plurality of telescoping rings which define an enclosed space, the volume of which is vari able in accordance with the extension of the rings. In order to provide for extension of the boot, a flexible air-tight container is connected to the exterior by an air tube. The air tube may contain a valve of the type commonly employed in tires and the container may be inflated by a manually operated pump or by air pressure available at filling stations.

The telescoping rings include inter-engaging portions so that when the bag is inflated and the rings are extended, the inter-engaging portions between adjacent rings provides a firm support which renders the entire extension substantially rigid. J

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, means are provided which permit extension of the boot by increments so that only the extension required for any particular job need be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the extension boot in collapsed condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The extension boot comprises the boot portion having .an ankle engaging portion 12 of substantial height and adapted to be laced tightly into foot and ankle engagement by laces extending through openings 14 in the boot. With this arrangement the boot provides firm support for the wearer.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the boot is connected at its bottom to an extension indicated in its entirety at 16. The extension comprises a sole plate or ground engaging portion 18 having an upwardly extending flange 20 which extends completely around the periphery of the portion 18. The flange 20 of course conforms to the shape of the boot and extends completely around its edge forming a generally foot-shaped ring. At its upper edge the flange or ring 20 has an inwardly extending portion' 22 having its underside formed to provide a hook 24 which also extends completely around the upper edge of the ring 20.

A plurality of similarly shaped but progressively smaller telescoping rings 26 and 28 are provided. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 only two intermediate rings 26 and 28 are shown. However, it will be appreciated that as many rings may be provided as necessary to produce the required extension. Each of the rings 26 and 28 at its lower edge has an outwardly extending hook-shaped portion 30 engageable with the downwardly facing hook-shaped portion 24 of the flange 20 or of the next larger ring. Similarly, each of the rings 26 and 28 at its upper portion has an inwardly extending hook portion 32.

The uppermost element of the telescoping extension comprises the member 34 having a generally flat top plate 36 connected to and shaped to conform to the sole of the boot 10. The member 34 includes a downwardly extending flange 38 having an outwardly extending hook portion 40 extending completely therearound and adapted to engage with the hook portion 32 of the uppermost ring, designated 28 in FIG. 3.

Within the enclosure defined by the sole plate 18, the upper plate 36, the flanges 20 and 38, and the rings 26 and 28, is a flexible collapsible container 42 which may be formed of rubber or similar material. The container 42 is connected to exterior atmosphere through a conduit 44 which may be similar to a tire stem and may contain a valve such as is ordinarily provided in tire stems. The exterior portion of the tube 44 is threaded as indicated at 47 for the reception of a cap such as provided on tires.

In order to retain the extension boot in collapsed position, straps 48 may be provided at opposite sides extending from the upper plate portion 36 to the outer surface of the sole plate 18 at which point they may be engaged by snap fasteners such as indicated at 49.

When the snap fasteners 49 are released and the interior of the container 42 subjected to substantial air pressure the telescoping extension is extended as indicated in FIG. 3 to a position determined by engagement between the interlocking hook portions 24, 30, 32 and 40. At this time sufficient air pressure is applied to render the extended boot construction perfectly rigid so that the wearer can move about readily, This result is further obtained as a result of the fact that the boot portion 10 is adapted to be firmly engaged with the foot and ankle of the wearer.

In order to obtain predetermined intermediate degrees of extension, suitable means may be provided such for example as pins 50 which are received in guide brackets 52 and which extend through openings 54 in the flange 20. Similar openings 56 are provided in the intermediate rings 26 and 28 respectively, and openings 58 are provided in the flange portion 38 of the top plate 36.

The pin 50 is provided with a head 60 and a cross opening through which a locking pin 62 may be extended.

With the foregoing construction and with the boot in collapsed position it will be apparent that the pin 50 may be withdrawn to permit collapse of the extension and thereafter inserted so as to extend through openings 56 and 58 to retain the telescoping rings and flanges incollapsed position. If it is desired to obtain an intermediate extension of the boot, the pins 50 may be withdrawn to release the upper member 34 or this member and one or more of the lower intermediate rings, and these released members may be moved upwardly to prevent reinsertion of the pins 50. The pins may then be returned to their illustrated position, at which time they will extend through only the flange 20 as shown, or this flange and the intermediate ring 26, or these members plus the intermediate ring 28. At this time when air is admitted under pressure to the interior of the container 42 the boot will assume an intermediate extension in which however, the interlocking hooks provide firm supporting means so that the partially extended boot is perfectly rigid and capable of supporting the user without difficulty.

In FIG. 3 only a single pin 50 is illustrated but of course these pins will normally be provided at opposite sides of the boot so as to afford a firm and balanced support.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An extension boot assembly comprising a boot, an extensible device fixedly mounted to extend below the sole of the boot, said extension device comprising a plurality of telescopically cooperating elements including a sole plate with a continuous upwardly extending flange, a top plate with a continuous peripheral downwardly extending flange and at least one intermediate ring shaped to interfit with said flanges.

2. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said flanges have abutments at their free edges, and said ring has oppositely laterally extending abutments at its edges engageable with the abutments on said flanges to limit extensions of said device.

3. An assembly as defined in claim 2 in which said abutments are hook-shaped to provide a secure interlock.

4. An assembly as defined in claim 3 in which said sole plate, top plate,flanges, and ring define an enclosure, a flexible air-tight container in said enclosure, and means for sealing a charge of compressed air within said container to maintain said extensible device in rigid extended condition.

5. An assembly as defined in claim 4 in which a valved tubular element connects the interior of said container with the outside for attachment to a source of air under pressure.

6. An assembly as defined in claim 1 which comprises selector means for selectively coupling said sole plate to one or more of said intermediate rings and top plate to provide for partial extension of said device while providing for rigidity of said device in partially extended condition as well as in fully extended or fully collapsed condition.

7. An assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said selector means comprises a pin carried by said flange on said sole plate, said intermediate rings and the flange on said top plate having pin receiving openings which are aligned when said device is fully collapsed, and means mounting said pin for withdrawal to release said top plate and any desired number of rings for extension relative to said sole plate.

8. An assembly as defined in claim 7 comprising releasable means for locking said pin in fully extended position. 

1. An extension boot assembly comprising a boot, an extensible device fixedly mounted to extend below the sole of thE boot, said extension device comprising a plurality of telescopically cooperating elements including a sole plate with a continuous upwardly extending flange, a top plate with a continuous peripheral downwardly extending flange and at least one intermediate ring shaped to interfit with said flanges.
 2. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said flanges have abutments at their free edges, and said ring has oppositely laterally extending abutments at its edges engageable with the abutments on said flanges to limit extensions of said device.
 3. An assembly as defined in claim 2 in which said abutments are hook-shaped to provide a secure interlock.
 4. An assembly as defined in claim 3 in which said sole plate, top plate,flanges, and ring define an enclosure, a flexible air-tight container in said enclosure, and means for sealing a charge of compressed air within said container to maintain said extensible device in rigid extended condition.
 5. An assembly as defined in claim 4 in which a valved tubular element connects the interior of said container with the outside for attachment to a source of air under pressure.
 6. An assembly as defined in claim 1 which comprises selector means for selectively coupling said sole plate to one or more of said intermediate rings and top plate to provide for partial extension of said device while providing for rigidity of said device in partially extended condition as well as in fully extended or fully collapsed condition.
 7. An assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said selector means comprises a pin carried by said flange on said sole plate, said intermediate rings and the flange on said top plate having pin receiving openings which are aligned when said device is fully collapsed, and means mounting said pin for withdrawal to release said top plate and any desired number of rings for extension relative to said sole plate.
 8. An assembly as defined in claim 7 comprising releasable means for locking said pin in fully extended position. 